LETTER: Journalistic malpractice will divide nation

I would like to respond to The DNJ's March column titled "Womick developing pattern of paranoia," written by The DNJ's chief fiction novelist, Sam Stockard.

First, I make no apologies for my efforts to ensure that the state of Tennessee and its citizens are fully prepared for any type of terrorist attack. Government's primary purpose is to protect its citizens and keep them safe from acts of crime and terrorism.

Since 1972, the United States has endured over 90 acts of terrorism on our home soil, 70 of which have been committed by Islamic fundamentalists in the name of Jihad or Allah. Of these 90 attacks, 66 have occurred over the last 13 years. Yet Mr. Stockard claims that I am suffering from paranoia, defined by Webster's dictionary as "systemic delusions without hallucinations." I hardly think ricin poison being mailed to the president of the United States and to a U.S. senator, and the Islamic terrorist bombings in Boston over the past week, qualify as paranoia.

Secondly, Mr. Stockard likened my efforts to prevent terrorism to the fictional movie thriller "Independence Day," only without actor Will Smith. Well, it's not so fictional any more, is it Sam? I'd say you might want to take a little time off from your journalistic malpractice to enjoy a couple of classic movie recommendations of my choosing. How about you start with "Groundhog Day" and Forrest Gump," both are a great representation of "stupid is as stupid does" journalism happening again and again.

My prayers and thoughts go out to those impacted by the recent attacks in Boston. But until the media and politicians in this country wake up and admit that we are at war with extremists and terrorists who want to destroy our constitutional form of government, destroy our economy, and murder our loved ones, then our future will be beholden to additional acts of terrorism. The consequences of our denial, our apathy, and the vitriolic propaganda from journalists like Sam Stockard, will leave our children and grandchildren with a nation divided, a nation on the road to self destruction.

It's time for us as Tennesseans, as Americans, to say "we have had enough!" This is our country and you cannot have it! The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, these are the documents by which we are governed. Our Founding Fathers were Godly men, and we are One Nation Under God. But as Ronald Reagan so eloquently stated, "If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." Pray for our nation, each and every person.

Rep. Rick Womick

34th House District

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LETTER: Journalistic malpractice will divide nation

I would like to respond to The DNJ's March column titled 'Womick developing pattern of paranoia,' written by The DNJ's chief fiction novelist, Sam Stockard.